Testimonials

Donnan R. Burris, CEO, Burris Logistics

“We are a fifth-generation family-owned leader in temperature-controlled food distribution, providing wholesaling and logistics services for retailers of chilled and frozen food along the East Coast. We retained Battalia Winston to search for a CFO. We wanted someone with high level experience but who understood the way family businesses run and the differences from public or private equity-owned companies. The BW team kept in close communications, there were no surprises and they worked well in concert with other consultancies supporting us (accounting, psychological testing and compensation). They covered the relevant universe in a disciplined way and ultimately delivered exactly what we were looking for. Finding the ideal candidate was not an easy ask. We couldn’t be more pleased. The successful candidate is an awesome addition to the team.”

Clyde Keaton, Former Founder, President and CEO – ATC

“The purpose of this note is to highly recommend Terry Gallagher of Battalia Winston as the best Senior executive search consultant I have utilized over my 40 years in senior management for various companies including General Electric. I met Terry when I was growing ATC, a company I founded and grew to almost $400mm in 20 years. Terry was instrumental in recruiting various Presidents of our 6 divisions and other senior executives. He teamed with us in a unique interviewing process that put the leadership in place to grow the business 20% per year for eight straight years. If you would like to talk directly to me about our experience and process Terry can forward you my contact info. Based upon my personal experience in working with Terry to recruit top talent, you will not go wrong if you retain him.”

John Russell, Chairman of the Board – Russelectric Inc.

“Bruce Walton and the team from Battalia Winston did a great job of presenting the Russelectric search committee with multiple qualified and outstanding candidates for our open CEO position. From these candidates, we were able to ultimately select the right person for the job. This process was completed on time and in budget.
Throughout this process, Bruce and his team maintained great communication with our committee. They clearly stated their opinions but let our committee come to its own conclusions.
Battalia Winston has our deepest appreciation for their assistance. We would highly recommend them to any other company with an executive search need.”

John Granato, CFO of The Andersons, Inc

“Terry and his team did a terrific job working with us to find a highly qualified CIO. The process was clearly laid out, well executed and moved quickly. They really listened to what we were looking for, asking appropriate and challenging questions to make sure we got the right candidates in front of us the first time. Ultimately we had more than one candidate we were comfortable hiring. Great work!”

Joe Rigger, CIO – DDB

“Battalia Winston placed me almost 20 years ago at DDB. My longevity there is yet another testament to his ability in finding the right candidates, with the right cultural fit, for the organizations that he engages with. His keen and proven executive search skills and process certainly provide a high level of ROI for his clients. I highly recommend Battalia Winston for your executive search needs now or in the future.

Thanks Battalia Winston for contributing significantly to my career and professional development over the years!”

Denis Thomas, Chairman / Peter Askew, COO – USALCO

“Battalia Winston immediately set a brisk pace for our senior level talent upgrading search, honing in quickly and accurately upon the combination of personal qualities and professional experience we needed. Always accessible and quickly responsive, the Partner made us feel as though we were his only client. Additionally, the combination of Partner and Senior Associate provided some helpfully contrasting perspectives to assist our analyses of various candidates’ attributes, qualifications and prospective fit. Altogether it was an enjoyable, rewarding joint effort, and we got what and who we were looking for. We will look forward to continuing our partnership with BW.”

“I first worked with Battalia Winston 15+ years ago when they completed a very challenging search I was involved in. Battalia Winston concluded the project by presenting an absolutely great candidate who was a perfect fit, a great success and an individual who has since joined me on two other projects. In summary, they listened to the requirements, both evaluated and understood the culture and didn’t just fill a job but found just the right person to create a lasting personal and professional partnership. Over the years I have come to consider Battalia Winston a trusted resource.”

Joe Babiak, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company – President and CEO

“We are a mid-sized regional property and casualty insurance company. Battalia Winston did a great job identifying and vetting candidates that had the level of leadership skills and expertise that we needed. What was most impressive for me was Battalia Winston truly took the time to understand our culture and our leadership needs at the executive level. As a result of their efforts, we have a great new Vice-President our Human Resources. ”

Jon Weiner, Kason Corporation, Millburn, NJ

“After a failed search with another firm, I turned to Battalia Winston to help fill the CFO position at recently acquired company. It was a critical role for us, and we needed just the right blend of operational expertise and PE experience. Battalia Winston not only took on the search personally, but generated a slew of first rate candidates. Battalia Winston’s team, fully vetted each potential hire and provided thoughtful and in-depth commentary that led us to the best candidate. Battalia Winston was available and engaged throughout the process. Today we are fortunate to have a great new CFO, and a true partner for recruiting our critical hires.

Sam Phelan, Chairman, Taconic, Hudson, NY

“We are a global, $125m family-owned business supporting the life science industry and biomedical research. Battalia Winston helped us recruit a non-family CEO to lead our company into a new, advanced technology business model. BW managed the process extremely well and with great responsiveness, energy and communications. Their deep knowledge in Life Sciences crystalized our thinking around this role and provided us access to some of the top Life Science executives. They mentored us on best practices and worked effectively with our other consultants (governance, family systems and compensation) to help position us to successfully recruit an outstanding CEO.”

“We are a mid-sized, privately held business doing business globally, and BW met the challenge by provided a choice of outstanding candidates who met our needs. Half of the North American senior management has come from BW, and that could only be accomplished by having a thorough understanding of our company, its culture and its customers. BW’s value proposition is centered on its personal touch and a driving interest in helping its clients achieve success. That trusted partner role sets BW apart. They will always be our first call.”

“On behalf of the Board and of Bobbie Freeman I want to thank you for the excellent job you did related to this search project. You truly delivered excellent candidates who the Board believed could truly “do the job” we needed to ensure that we would be not only viable but successful in this new market niche. I also would like to thank you for the gentle and encouraging way you managed a novice who had never been interviewed for a job in her 65 years. You are knowledgeable, gracious, professional, discerning and eloquent; a true asset to your company and to the industry.”

“Battalia Winston’s team were fantastic to work with. Right up front they took the time to understand our culture as well as our need to make an impact hire. Their firm brings a very professional and hands-on approach to the executive search process. Battalia Winston provides expertise, advice and management of the search process that are not always provided by other firms. Our end result was a fantastic hire. I would not hesitate to recommend Battalia Winston to any organization.”

Tony Bon – Samson Rope– President

“I was very pleased to have my position filled in such short order. The candidate Battalia Winston found for us will be a solid new member of our team. This has also been for me one of my best experiences working with a recruiter. They adjusted according to our needs and style and kept the process moving quickly. If I come across anyone who would benefit from the services, I will certainly point them Battalia Winston’s direction.”

Nils Are KarstadLysø – Moods of Norway– CEO

“Battalia Winston was very responsive and flexible to adapt process and approach to client’s needs.”

“Close contact and good availability throughout process – and after.”

“Good reading of candidate fit – also provided “out of the box” candidates.”

“Very strong performance – our new CEO has made a big difference on the organization already – and everybody is very happy about having him there.”

Cary W. Martin – Cloud Peak Energy Inc.– SVP, Human Resources

“I would rate Battalia Winston’s services very highly. In comparison to other firms used in my past, they are at the top, which is why I now use them on an exclusive basis for my senior level searches.”

“I appreciate the resources that get assigned to my searches and the level of work conducted to screen the candidates in advance of presenting them to me.”

John Ireland – X-Rite – VP, Human Resources

“Battalia Winston has outstanding service and is very client-oriented. Top-quality, up-front work.”

“Battalia Winston is small, but big, and has quality without the weight. They are fast and flexible and definitely deliver on their promises.”

“How can we better serve your needs? Keep doing what you are doing.”

Daniel B. Hatzenbuehler – E. Ritter & Company– Chairman & CEO

“We had an excellent experience using Battalia Winston to help recruit a non-family executive to be my ‘co-pilot’ and successor. Their Partner’s knowledge of, and experience with, private family businesses was a critical part of our decision to engage the firm. Their process-driven approach to conducting the search provided the structure and discipline we needed in order to have a successful search. The firm was very responsive and proactive in keeping us apprised at every step of the process.”

“Battalia Winston was terrific to work with. I would rate them very high because they did an excellent job scoping, managing and communicating through each step of the recruiting process for our portfolio company. The team was excellent not only in identifying a very capable pool of candidates in a timely manner but also in communicating with us every step of the way; there were no surprises. Finally, the market expertise and consulting that their Partner provided regarding compensation and hiring issues were extremely helpful and allowed for a smooth negotiation process and ultimate hiring.”

Steven A. Leese – Quabbin Capital – Managing Director

“We rate Battalia Winston very highly for their performance on our recent portfolio company CEO search in Kansas City. Their team acted as a responsive partner to the investor board, and they demonstrated a genuine interest in contributing to the company’s success. They listened carefully and were very skillful in dealing effectively with all the various constituencies. They brought perspective, experience and knowledge, along with a good sense of practical realities, to our business challenge. Their focus throughout this process was solely on generating the best outcome.”

Chief Operating Officer – Global Services Organization

“From the moment of my initial introduction to Battalia Winston until the time I stepped formally into the role I currently hold, I was confident that I was working with professionals. Not only did Battalia Winston do a comprehensive job of extracting and defining the skills I brought to the table, they had clearly identified the hiring organization’s needs as well. Their ability to so closely match needs with resources is what made for a wonderful placement.